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When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his
teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as
their scribes. Matthew 7:28–29
These lines conclude the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew’s
Gospel chapters 5–7. In that lengthy sermon, Jesus touches on many
topics and presents us with a summary of all we need to know in our
lives of faith. In these concluding lines of His sermon, the words
“astonished” and “authority” should stand out. Why were the crowds
astonished at Jesus’ teaching? Because His teaching was new and
relied upon a new authority that the people hadn’t experienced
before.
The authority with which the scribes taught was based upon their
knowledge of the traditions handed down to them from earlier
teachers. The scribes studied long and hard and then presented what
they had learned. This was the form of religious teaching that the
people were used to receiving.
Jesus, however, arrived on the scene and astonished the crowds,
because He spoke with a new authority that they had not seen
before. Jesus’ authority came forth from His very Person. It was
not based upon what He had studied and learned from those who
preceded Him. Instead, when He spoke, it was He Himself Who was not
only the mouthpiece of the New Law of grace, He was also the Author
of the Law and its source.
Try to ponder the idea of authority. For example, a child knows
that a parent has authority over them. They may not like it at
times, but they understand that they do not set the rules of the
house but must abide by the rules set by their parents. Or consider
the authority of civil leaders. Law enforcement officers, for
example, have an authority entrusted to them by their office. They
are not only well versed in the rule of law, they can also enforce
it and everyone knows it.
Similarly, Jesus did not just know about the new and glorious
truths He taught. He did not simply learn them from the Father in
Heaven and then pass them on verbally. Instead, when He taught, He
did so as the One Who knew the New Law of grace, the One from Whom
it originated, and the one and only Person sent to enact and
enforce this New Law.
Reflect, today, upon the New Law of grace and mercy taught by our
Lord, especially as it is contained in the lengthy Sermon on the
Mount. Reading those words is much more than something we study and
learn. The words themselves are alive; they are the Word of God.
Reading them makes present to us the same authority that the crowds
experienced in Jesus’ time. Everything Jesus taught was and is new,
deep, profound, transforming and alive. And when He teaches it, He
also establishes His divine authority to enforce it upon the world.
This is good news, because His New Law is not an imposition; it is
the one and only source of freedom and new life. Reflect upon this
New Law of our Lord and pray that you will more fully come under
its authority.
My glorious Lawgiver, You taught as One with authority. Today,
as Your holy Word is read and proclaimed, You continue to exercise
Your new and glorious authority of love and mercy. Please help me
to listen to You and to always submit myself to Your authority so
that I am governed by Your New Law of grace. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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Featured image above: Jesus teachers, via flickr
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